Prototyrtaeus beckeri Spiessberger and Ivie

Prototyrtaeus beckeri Spiessberger and Ivie , new species

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( Figs. 9 View Figs , 15i View Fig , 16m View Fig , 17h View Fig )

Type Material. Holotype. JAMAICA, 7400’; Blue Mt. Peak ; VII.27-28.1966; Howden & Becker ( CNCI) . Paratypes (16). 15: same locality data as holotype (10 CNCI, 5 WIBF). 1: JAMAICA, 4000’; Hardwar Gap ; VII.4.1966; Howden & Becker ( CNCI) .

Diagnosis. This species can be distinguished by its non-metallic integument; a unicolored antenna with seven antennomeres ( Fig. 15i View Fig ); and the weakly transverse pronotum, with the anterior margin beaded, and widest at the base or middle. It is the only species with a longitudinal elevation along the elytral margin and the intercoxal process of ventrite 1 broadly rounded ( Fig. 16m View Fig ). The only other species with seven antennomeres are P. howdeni and P. sandersoni, but they lack the raised elytral margin. Prototyrtaeus beckeri have just one long seta above the lateral groove on the basal fourth of the elytron ( Fig. 16c View Fig ), whereas the other species have more.

Etymology. This species is named in honor of Edward C. Becker (1923–2008), co-collector with his friend Henry Howden of all known specimens of this species. He was a friend to all and a highly respected coleopterist. Becker collected specimens of five of the 14 species of Prototyrtaeus, tied for second to only Darlington’ s amazing record of 11 species.

Description. 1.8–2.2 mm long, 1.2–1.3 mm wide. Dorsal surface piceous, not strongly convex, without distinct setation, only few microsetae, shiny; antenna yellow or light brown. Head not as wide as anterior edge of pronotum, frons moderately, finely punctate, punctures smaller than eye facet, glabrous; epistomal suture weakly marked; clypeus bearing a row of long, golden setae at the apex; labrum densely setose; antenna with seven antennomeres ( Fig. 15i View Fig ), antennomere 2 slightly wider than 3, antennomeres after 3 gradually widening, 7 forming club of 3 fused antennomeres, oval, club length subequal to antennomeres 2–6. Pronotum weakly transverse, widest at base or middle, sparsely, finely punctate, punctures very shallow, smaller than eye facet; all margins beaded, beads not connected at angles, anterior margin slightly bisinuate, lateral margin above lateral bead sinuate on basal third, bead width gradually increasing posteriorly, visible setae in dorsal view projecting laterally, posterior margin slightly arcuate, anterior angles rounded, posterior angles obtuse. Elytron without striae, finely punctate, 1 long seta above lateral groove (if missing, distinct puncture present) on basal fourth ( Fig. 16c View Fig ); weak longitudinal elevation along elytral margin. Metaventrite short, lateral area weakly punctate; metanepisternum weakly punctate. Pro- and mesocoxae rounded (external view), metacoxa transverse, narrowing outwards, femora with short, sparse, golden setae, protibia cylindrical, with sparse, straight, golden setae on dorsal surface, ventrally completely setose, becoming dense, golden brush on apical half, tarsomere 1 slightly enlarged ( Fig. 16e View Fig ). Intercoxal process of ventrite 1 broadly rounded ( Fig. 16m View Fig ), sparsely punctate, punctures each bearing a very fine, golden seta. Aedeagus ( Fig. 17h View Fig ) apicale curved medially, half length of basale, basale curved medially and on posterior third.

Distribution. Jamaica ( Fig. 18 View Figs ).

Biology. Nothing is known about the biology of this species.

Remarks. Also known from the Blue Mountains and Hardwar Gap, a few of the paratypes of this species actually bear the same labels, i.e., were taken during the same events, as some specimens of P. sandersoni.